Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan: 'After the US, Turkey has the highest increase in violence incidents'

Euronews Turkish conducted an interview with Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, Founding Rector of Üsküdar Üniversitesi and an expert in psychiatry and social psychology, on the recent societal violence incidents in Turkey. Tarhan emphasized that violence incidents are increasing in Turkey, similar to the US, and stated that substance users largely influence these incidents. Speaking about the necessity of taking short, medium, and long-term measures, Tarhan stressed that the highest increase after the US is in Turkey.

Tarhan underlined the necessity of distinguishing between illness and crime: 'Violence incidents are increasing in Turkey, just like in the US. When we look at these incidents, it is largely seen that substance users have an influence. In Turkey, a system like supervised release has been legally established to control substance users.'

'Here, short, medium, and long-term measures need to be taken. According to the IPSOS report, Turkey currently sees the highest increase in antidepressant use after the US. More accurately, we are the second country with the highest increase in psychiatric patients. This means that we should no longer confuse illness with criminality.'

'Addiction combat policies must be re-evaluated'

Tarhan emphasizes that the issue of combating addiction in Turkey needs to be re-examined.

'There's no need to reinvent the wheel. Since these violence incidents increased significantly in the US, they made short, medium, and long-term plans for it. One was to increase the power and authority of the police. In fact, this authority was increased to the extent that it could be called police brutality. The reason for this increase is actually the surge in addiction cases.'

'In fact, addiction-related cases are so numerous in the US that in a state like Pennsylvania, substance users openly wander the streets. These individuals are ignored so they don't cause trouble, and they end up dying. Turkey is heading in the same direction. For the medium and long term, Turkey needs to re-evaluate its addiction policies concerning the fight against addiction.'

'City hospitals may prove inadequate'

The academician, who argues that existing hospitals will not be sufficient for the treatment of these individuals, states the short-term solutions as follows:
'Initially, the authority of the police should be increased, and in the medium term, rehabilitation centers for addiction should be opened. There are examples of this in the US. They are treated for 3 months, then released. Examples of this include opening long-term rehabilitation centers of this type. In other words, a city hospital should be allocated solely for this purpose. City hospitals are currently not suitable for patients in one respect, and may prove inadequate in this situation.'
'These individuals both use substances and create legal problems. Their numbers have increased significantly in society. They absolutely need to be rehabilitated. This is a medium-term measure. As a long-term measure, similar to what is done in the US, primary prevention for these individuals should be implemented. To prevent healthy individuals from becoming ill. Secondary prevention is identifying risk groups and working with them. Tertiary prevention is working to ensure that individuals discharged from the hospital do not get readmitted.'

'We are not responsible for women's safety' announcement

Tarhan, pointing out that there is no such strategy in Turkey, believes that the current situation constitutes a 'security problem.'
'These primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention efforts are currently not present as policy or medical strategy in Turkey. Addiction treatment has been reduced to medical treatment. This is not something psychiatrists alone can cope with. That's why this has become a serious security problem. These incidents appear to be increasing. And when we look at such events, people can act hesitantly, saying, "They'll get out of prison anyway." '

'The police demand more authority; due to a lack of authority, restrictions, and the poor functioning of the judicial control system, they cannot act preventively. Citizens cannot even take their children out to the streets. In Houston, USA, the government specifically announced, 'We cannot protect women who are out after 10:00 PM.' Think about it, it happened 7-8 years ago. Currently, in Houston, Texas, it has been announced, 'We are not responsible for the safety of women who are out after 10:00 PM.' In Turkey, this could also become a measure on the agenda.'

EURONEWS